Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
We report 2 immunocompetent and otherwise healthy adults in the United States who had monkeypox and required hospitalization for viral myocarditis. Both patients were unvaccinated against orthopoxviruses. They had shortness of breath or chest pain and elevated cardiac biomarkers. No immediate complications were observed. They were discharged home after symptoms resolved.
Introduction
Monkeypox is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus that is endemic to West and Central Africa and has caused sporadic outbreaks elsewhere.[1,2] On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization declared the 2022 monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.[3] Human monkeypox manifests as a viral syndrome, typically involving prominent lymphadenopathy and characteristic skin lesions.[2,4] However, severe manifestations have been reported in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised persons.[1,4,5]
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2022;28(12):2508-2512. © 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
